Good Thing Going

· by Stephen Sondheim

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Lyrics

It start ed out like a song.

We start ed qui et and (F)slow,

with no sur prise,

and then one (C)morn ing I (Dm9)woke

to (D)re al ize:

We had a good thing go ing.

It’s not that noth ing went wrong.

Some an gry mo ments, of (F)course,

but just a few,

and on ly (C)mo ments, no (Dm9)more,

be (D)cause we knew

we had a good thing go ing.

And if I want ed too much, was that such a mis take

at the time?

You nev er want ed e nough.

All right, tough, I don’t make

that a crime.

And while it’s go ing a long,

you take for grant ed some (F)love

will wear a way.

We took for (C)grant ed a (Dm9)lot

and (D)still I say

it could have kept on grow ing,

in stead of just kept on.

We had a good thing

(Bb)go (Dm)ing...

(Bbmaj7)go (C)ing...

(F)gone.

Good Thing Going by Stephen Sondheim — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Good Thing Going” by Stephen Sondheim in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Bb at 72 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Good Thing Going" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Good Thing Going"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
What other Stephen Sondheim songs work for kids?: Try "LOSING MY MIND", "Agony (Film Version)", "Any Moment - Part I". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.